My father-in-law Guan Yu, I persuaded Liu Bei to launch a surprise attack on Xiangyang at the beginn

The more Gongsun E thought about it, the more suspicious and uncertain he became.

He had clearly laid out layers of scouts along the coastal road. If the Han army had come on a long march, they would not have come without leaving a trace. The scouts should have sent out warnings long ago.

Why hadn't he received any news even after the Han army breached the city gates and marched on the county government?
Countless questions churned in his mind. Gongsun E stood frozen in place, his face turning pale and then red, his former composure completely gone.

At that moment, a deafening roar of killing suddenly erupted outside the courtyard.

Before the sounds of battle had subsided, several officers had already broken open the gates of the mansion and stumbled inside.

"General Gongsun, the Han army has broken in!"

"Quickly lead the troops to repel the enemy, or Liaodong City will surely fall!"

"The city gates are mostly breached. The Han army's offensive is too fierce. If we don't resist now, we'll all be finished!"

Gongsun Emeng leaped up from his desk, drew his sword from his waist, and without even straightening his armor, strode out of the mansion.

As soon as I stepped out of the courtyard gate and looked into the distance, I gasped in shock.

On the city tower, the Liao flag that had been hanging high had fallen, and a battle flag with the character "Han" was fluttering in the strong wind.

On the main road running through the city, Han soldiers surged toward the county government like a tidal wave.

"The Han army...has really broken in?"

Gongsun E's Adam's apple bobbed as he exclaimed in surprise:
"Why haven't my scouts reported a single word? Are they all dead?"

"Could it be... that the Han army sprouted wings and flew into Liaodu City?"

The moment the thought crossed his mind, it sent a jolt through him, filling his mind with terror.

The city walls of Liaodu were high and thick, and the defenses were strict. He thought his defenses were impenetrable, but the Han army broke into his heartland without him even noticing.
"General Gongsun!"

A subordinate general rushed to his horse, crying out:

"The Liao army can't hold the city anymore. The Han army is too strong, and we are outnumbered. We should retreat quickly, or it will be too late!"

The word "withdraw" is like a sharp knife, piercing Gongsun E's heart.

The trust that Gongsun Kang entrusted to him came to mind.

Liaodu City was the gateway to the Liao Kingdom and a strategic stronghold. He was ordered to guard this place, which was the first line of defense for the Liao Kingdom.

If he were to flee without a fight and hand over this important town, how could he possibly face Gongsun Kang again?

How could they possibly face the people of Liao?

"Bastard!"

Gongsun E drew his sword:
"Liaodu City is the foundation of the Liao Kingdom and must not be lost. Generals, listen to my command! Follow me and charge out to slaughter these Han dogs!"

As soon as he finished speaking, he mounted his horse and charged off into battle.

Seeing this, the generals on the left and right were terrified, but they dared not hesitate. They urged their troops forward and charged into the chaotic battle.

On the narrow street, the two armies clashed instantly, and street fighting ensued.

Zhang Liao took the lead, his battle sword dancing wildly like a wheel, the blade carrying a sharp gust of wind wherever it passed.

The Liao soldiers fell at his touch, and in no time he had carved a bloody path through the chaos of battle.

His gaze swept across the battlefield, and he immediately spotted a Liao general diagonally in front of him, wildly hacking at his own soldiers with his sword.

"That must be Gongsun E!"

A cold glint flashed in Zhang Liao's eyes, and he shouted sharply:

"You treacherous scoundrel Gongsun, Zhang Liao is here! Prepare to die!"

Gongsun E was engrossed in the battle when he suddenly heard this loud shout. His movements abruptly stopped, and he looked up in the direction of the sound.

On the other side of the battlefield, shrouded in blood mist, Zhang Liao was rushing closer.

"Zhang Liao!"

Gongsun E gritted his teeth, a fierce killing intent instantly igniting in his eyes.

This is the man who led his troops in a surprise attack on Liaodu City, destroying his defenses and ruining his reputation for defending the city!

"I'll kill you!"

Gongsun E roared and charged through the chaotic army, heading straight for Zhang Liao.

"You dog, don't run! Today is your death day!" Zhang Liao refused to back down, spurring his horse forward and raising his sword high.

The two riders, like two sharp arrows, broke through the chaotic army formation and charged straight at the enemy.

The blades sliced ​​through the air, kicking up clouds of blood and dust as they slashed at each other.

"clang!"

The two swords clashed violently, sparks flying everywhere.

With the force of the burst, the powerful airflow spread outwards, and several soldiers from both armies were unable to dodge and were directly knocked to the ground.

The blades met, creating a standoff in mid-air.

Zhang Liao, a great general of the Han Dynasty, was exceptionally skilled in martial arts, yet he was unable to suppress Gongsun E at this moment, and the two were evenly matched for the time being.

A hint of surprise, difficult to conceal, flashed across Gongsun E's eyes.

His martial arts skills were considered the best in the Gongsun family; ordinary generals could not last more than five moves against him.

He had expected to kill Zhang Liao in one move to vent his anger, but he never expected that Zhang Liao would be able to withstand his full-force attack.

And it's as stable as Mount Tai!
Gongsun E was even more alarmed, as the opponent's strength was slightly greater than his own, and the opponent had already gained a slight advantage.

"impossible!"

"How could this fellow's martial arts be superior to mine?"

In the midst of the stalemate where swords clashed, Zhang Liao suddenly spoke:
"Gongsun E, if you surrender to the Han Dynasty, I can save your life."

"If you remain obstinate and follow Gongsun Kang, the Grand Marshal of the Han Dynasty will personally lead a large army to press on our borders, and we will surely wipe out the Liao Kingdom and exterminate your entire clan!"

This was Zhang Liao's final warning to persuade Zhang Liao to surrender.

His plan was clear:
Gongsun E is the Liao army's garrison commander. If we can make him surrender without a fight, we can not only take Liao City without bloodshed, but also severely damage the Liao army's morale, making subsequent campaigns much easier.

But these words instantly ignited the anger in Gongsun E's heart.

He was already frustrated by the passive situation in the war, and when he heard the words of surrender, he felt even more humiliated.

"Zhang Liao, you scoundrel, how dare you dream of making me surrender to the Han!"

Gongsun E's eyes were bloodshot as he roared:
"If I don't tear you to pieces today, I won't be able to quell the hatred in my heart!"

With a roar, Gongsun E mustered all his strength and forcefully deflected Zhang Liao's sword, which was aimed at him.

With a sharp clang, the two blades separated.

Without pausing, he swiftly twisted his wrist, his long sword flashing in several arcs, and slashed down at Zhang Liao's head.

"Stubborn fool, you want to die? I'll grant your wish!"

Zhang Liao's eyes sharpened, and his battle blade spun out smoothly, steadily catching the thunderous blow.

In an instant, the two riders passed each other.

After seven moves, neither of them had gained the upper hand, but their breathing had already become increasingly labored.

After more than twenty moves, the swordplay became increasingly fierce, and both sides had figured out each other's moves.

In the blink of an eye, more than fifty moves had passed.

The tide of battle has quietly turned.

Gongsun E was gradually being suppressed by Zhang Liao's sword momentum, and each parry became increasingly difficult.

Even more critically, while he could barely hold on to fighting Zhang Liao, the Liao soldiers under his command had long been unable to withstand the Han army's offensive.

On both sides of the streets, Han soldiers charged forward and fought fiercely, continuously killing the scattered Liao soldiers.

The Liao army was already in disarray due to the loss of the city gates. Now, seeing their commander tied down, they completely collapsed. The soldiers abandoned their armor and fled at the first sign of trouble, having lost all will to fight.

Gongsun E glanced around and saw that his soldiers were dwindling while the Han army continued to pour in. His heart sank.

If he continues to fight like this, even if he manages to defeat Zhang Liao by chance, he will be all alone.

If they are isolated and helpless, and surrounded by the Han army, they will surely die.

Thinking of this, a sense of fear quietly arose in Gongsun E's heart, his previous fierce courage vanished, and his fighting spirit completely collapsed.

His momentum completely waned, his moves slowed, revealing numerous openings, and he fell into a complete disadvantage. (End of Chapter)